Cell phones collect dust and dirt every day, which can affect their ability to charge, which is why it's important to clean their charging port regularly. Whether you have an iPhone or an Android device, dirt buildup in the charging port can often be a frustrating issue. This usually happens when you put your phone in a bag with the connector facing down. While a little dirt won't immediately affect your phone, buildup over time can negatively impact its functionality. Below you can find out how you can clean the charging socket on Android or iPhone and keep your mobile devices protected. Follow the guide to save your battery and optimize your phone's performance.
Identify the cause of impaired charging ability and clean the charging socket
The opening at the bottom of your phone may look small, but it can quickly become dusty. However, there are other reasons why your phone might not charge properly - you need to clean and possibly restart your phone, check the cable for kinks, and make sure the power source is like oneMultiple socket is working properly. If you have taken all of these factors into account and it is still working properly, it is possible that there is debris in your charging port. This prevents the plug from making a solid connection to the power source. When you insert the charging cable, it compresses and packs these dirt deposits deep into the socket, which can only make cleaning more difficult.
Which cleaning tool to use to avoid mistakes?
So if you have noticed problems charging your phone, you can take this as a sign that you may also need to clean its charging port. What you can use for this are soft cotton swabs to gently remove dirt from hard-to-reach areas. However, you can also try using a compressed air spray, rubber ball syringe and toothpick to loosen stuck-on deposits.
However, do not use abrasive cleaners such as bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Additionally, avoid getting moisture into your phone, regardless of whether it is waterproof. Also, get a flashlight or work under the light of a desk lamp so you can see deep into the opening.
Here's what you shouldn't do when cleaning your phone:
- Do not use a toothbrush. Toothbrush bristles can accidentally get into the charging port and make the situation worse.
- Also, do not blow directly on the charging port. The water particles from your mouth can interact with electricity, wetting the interior and damaging components in your mobile device.
- You may have seen these online hacks where people put their wet phones in rice. However, the rice grains can also get stuck in your phone's charging port or headphone jack. This is especially possible when the phone is wet and the rice grains expand. Instead, store your phone in a dry place with the charging port facing down. Excess water drips down as airflow enters the socket.
- Any household tool that is wet, sharp, or metal is poor for cleaning your phone's charging port. Therefore, do not use metal objects, wet substances or anything sharper than a toothpick.
Prevent corrosion on the charging port and use a protective cover
If it's a new model, you may not see any corrosion and may not necessarily need to clean your charging port. However, if you have owned your phone for years, there is a chance that corrosion has formed on the charging port. Because of the delicacy of the bushing, it is best to hire a professional to clean it in this case. However, if you want to tackle the problem yourself, you should use the cleaning tools mentioned above to do it.
Additionally, these days it makes more than sense to protect your phone's charging port with a case. There are many lightweight and trendy options that can also protect your phone's charging port from the elements and accidental drops. Otherwise, you can try the methods described below and regularly clean your charging port to prevent complications.
This way you can clean your charging socket without damaging the device
Prepare your supplies like toothpicks, cotton swabs, paper towel, etc. before you start cleaning. While you might want to try compressed air if you plan on inserting something into the charging port to pull out trapped debris, there's only one acceptable tool for the job: a toothpick. Follow the steps outlined below to ensure a gentle and effective cleaning process.
- First, turn off your phone completely. You can also do this with the software by tapping Shut Down.
- Then, holding the can of compressed air upright so that it is only blowing air and not expelling wet propellant, shoot a few short, controlled bursts into the opening. You can of course also use a rubber ball syringe for this.
- Turn on your phone and try charging it again. If it still doesn't work, it's time to try the toothpick.
- Again, with the phone turned off, carefully insert the toothpick into the port and lightly scratch it against the inner wall. Do not apply pressure to the inside closest to the front of the phone. There are sensitive pins there, but overall it's important to be gentle because in addition to these pins, there are usually tiny anchors on the sides that snap into place when plugged into the charging port. That's why it "locks" when you slide the cable, and if these are damaged, charging is no longer possible.
- After using the toothpick for a while, give the opening another blast of compressed air. This means you can remove anything that came loose.
- After squeezing out some dirt, turn your phone back on and try charging it.
- If it still doesn't work, you can continue trying carefully or take the device to a service center to have the charging socket professionally cleaned.
More tips for cleaning and caring for cell phones
It is recommended and often necessary to clean the speakers and earpiece of your phone. After you have already successfully followed the steps above and the charging port is clean, you should also take care of the remaining sensitive areas. Just as dust and dirt can get into the charging socket, this is also possible with the other openings. Clean your speakers with a damp cloth or cotton swab. Do not use compressed air in this area. Wet or disinfectant wipes are fine, but don't use liquids. Compressed air and fluids can be too aggressive on this component.
Remove liquids or sand from the shop connection
- Despite being waterproof, the device can sometimes be damaged by liquids. In such cases, you should try to get the liquid out of your phone's charging port. For example, on an iPhone, if you receive a notification that there is water in the charging port, you should disconnect all accessories and tap your hand with the port facing down to pour out water.
- In order for the jack to dry completely, you can place the phone in a dry place with sufficient air circulation. Some manufacturers, such as Apple, state that it can take up to 24 hours for the charging port to dry completely. As tempting as it may be, you should avoid using tools and heat sources such as hairdryers or hot air.
- If you need to remove sand or other hard-to-see debris, your best bet is to use compressed air or even an air compressor. It is advisable to clean the charging socket by first carefully removing any visible grains of sand with a toothpick. If charging still doesn't work, try again with compressed air.
These methods are much cheaper than a costly repair or purchasing a new cell phone. You can purchase a can of compressed air at most electronics stores. Now you already know some tips and tricks that you can use to clean your charging socket. Keep doing this to optimize your device's performance while ensuring you charge your phone with confidence.
